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We’re heading into the last couple weeks of December, so you
know what that means: reflection time! Let’s start with games. Instead of
posting my top games of the year, I’m going to categorize some of the most
awesome experiences I’ve had this year. Starting with awesome surprises.

These are the top three out-of-nowhere completely
unexpected awesome game experiences I had this year.

Spec Ops: The Line

What is it? A
modern military shooter with a story that challenges your assumptions as the “hero”
of the story, and as a person playing a video game.

Why is it on the
list? I knew going in there was something different/surprising about this
game. Had I not known that, I might have passed on it. Mechanically and
visually it’s an average game. I played the demo when it first came out and
wasn’t impressed. Don’t make that mistake. If, like me, you can find this game
on sale (I got it for six bucks on PC), get it! This type of story hasn’t
really been done in games before. Have you ever stopped to think about what you’re
doing when you play a shooter? Is there a choice behind your actions? Do you
even check to see if there is? Spec Ops: The Line will leave you thinking about
those things and more. The story is concise, interesting and brilliantly acted—Nolan
North turns in a stellar performance.

Pro tip: Play
it on the easiest setting. The story is the main draw here. On easy, the
enemies go down after a couple of shots and the fights don’t drag on as long.
You’ll still need to be smart and use cover, but you and your AI teammates won’t
die near as much.

Sine Mora

What is it? A
side-scrolling airplane shooter starring talking animals.

Why is it on the
list? Wrapped around this straightforward shooter is a story about time
travel, rape, slavery, revenge and freedom. Crazy right? Sine Mora does “in
medias res” better than almost any game I’ve ever seen. You’re thrown into a
strange world bound by strange laws, and you piece it together as the story
unrolls—slightly out of sequence, Tarantino style. It seems a little silly at
first, but the characters are deadly serious. It’s a relatively simple story,
told in just two hours, but the poetic writing and Hungarian voice work (yep,
it’s a Japanese made, Hungarian voiced story) draws you in, and the sharp,
challenging gameplay and lush visuals keep you going.

Pro tip: Once
you beat the story mode, an encyclopedia is unlocked in the options menu. It’s
packed with details about the world and its inhabitants, all the way down to
the average climate and weather patterns.

The Walking Dead:
Episode 2

What is it? The
second of five episodes in the stellar Walking Dead adventure game series by
Telltale Games.

Why is it on the
list? The entire series is astounding. It’s set a new bar for interactive
storytelling. As of this writing, I’ve only played the first two episodes
(thanks to a game save bug, I have to start over). I won’t spoil anything,
because the story is what this game is all about. I’ll just say that there was
a moment in the second episode that shocked me so much I actually dropped my
controller. The way the writing makes you feel both powerful (through your
choices) and completely powerless (through the messed up situations you’re in)
is amazing. I’ve never played a game with so much constant grinding tension.

Pro tip: If
you haven’t picked up the game yet, grab a physical disc version in stores.
There are too many save game issues and other weird bugs for me to recommend
downloading the PC version. It’s the only blemish on an otherwise fantastic
game.